Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls

So you’re craving something festive but the thought of spending hours in the kitchen makes you want to wrap yourself in fairy lights and call it a day? Been there, done that. Trust me, holiday baking doesn’t have to be a marathon. What if I told you there’s a ridiculously easy, super cute, and unbelievably delicious way to make Christmas Tree Cinnamon Rolls without breaking a sweat (or a single store-bought dough tube)? You’re welcome.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay, let’s be real. This recipe is a game-changer for several highly scientific reasons. First, it looks like you slaved away for hours, but in reality, it’s pretty much idiot-proof. Seriously, even I, a person who once set off the smoke alarm making toast, managed this with flying colors. Second, we’re talking about store-bought cinnamon roll dough here. **Yes, you heard me. Store-bought.** No judgment, only delicious, time-saving efficiency. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for a holiday brunch, a fun activity with the kids (or just your inner child), or just, you know, because Tuesday. Because why not?

Ingredients You’ll Need

Get ready for a super short list. We like to keep things simple around here, FYI.

• **2 tubes (8-count each) refrigerated cinnamon roll dough with icing**: This is our secret weapon. The real MVP. Don’t even think about making your own dough unless you’re trying to prove a point (and waste precious chill time).
• **Green food coloring**: Gel works best for vibrant color, but liquid is fine too. To make your tree actually look like a tree, duh.
• **Festive sprinkles**: Any color, any shape. The more glitter, the better. This is the bling for your tree!
• **Butter (a little extra)**: Just a smidge for brushing, if you’re feeling fancy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Preheat and Prep**: First things first, get that oven going to 375°F (190°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. We’re avoiding sticky situations here.
2. **Unroll and Flatten**: Pop open those tubes of cinnamon rolls. Unroll each cinnamon roll gently and lay it flat. You’ll end up with long, flat strips of dough. If they stick a bit, a light dusting of flour helps.
3. **Cut ’em Up**: Now, for the tree branches! Cut each unrolled strip into about 4-5 smaller pieces. Think “branches”—they don’t need to be perfectly uniform, nature isn’t!
4. **Assemble Your Tree**: Start arranging your dough pieces on the parchment-lined baking sheet to form a Christmas tree shape. Start with a wider base at the bottom, using more pieces, and gradually narrow it as you go up, using fewer pieces for the top. **Overlap the pieces slightly** to make sure they connect. Leave a little space at the bottom for a “trunk” if you want!
5. **Bake It ‘Til Golden**: Pop that beautiful dough tree into the preheated oven. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cinnamon rolls are golden brown and cooked through. Keep an eye on it – ovens are like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike.
6. **Get Frosting Festive**: While your tree is baking, grab the icing that came with the cinnamon rolls. Empty it into a small bowl and add a few drops of green food coloring. Mix it up until you get that perfect festive green. If it’s too thick, add a tiny splash of milk to thin it out.
7. **Decorate Your Masterpiece**: Once the tree is out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes. Then, go wild with that green frosting! Drizzle it all over your warm cinnamon roll tree. Immediately follow up with a generous shower of sprinkles before the frosting sets.
8. **Serve and Devour**: Grab a spatula (or just your hands, no judgment) and dig in! This is best served warm.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• **Overbaking**: Don’t walk away from the oven. Dry cinnamon rolls are a travesty. Pull them out when they’re golden, not dark brown and crispy.
• **Forgetting the Parchment Paper**: Unless you enjoy chiseling baked goods off a pan, **use parchment paper.** Your future self will thank you.
• **Being Too Fussy with the Cuts**: This is a rustic, homemade-looking tree. Don’t stress about perfectly straight lines. Embrace the “charming imperfections”!
• **Waiting Too Long to Sprinkle**: Sprinkles need to hit that warm, gooey frosting to stick. Don’t let the frosting cool completely, or your tree will be sparkle-less and sad.
• **Thinking you can skip the store-bought dough**: Nope. We discussed this. This is the express lane to deliciousness.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Feeling adventurous? (Or just realizing you’re out of sprinkles?) No problem!

• **Different Tree Colors**: Who says a Christmas tree has to be green? Go for a pink tree, a blue tree, or even a rainbow tree! Just swap out the green food coloring for your color of choice.
• **Nutella Swirl**: If you’re using plain crescent roll dough instead of cinnamon roll dough (and adding your own cinnamon sugar), you could spread a thin layer of Nutella on the dough before cutting and rolling for a chocolatey twist.
• **Fancy Frosting**: Instead of the packaged icing, whip up some homemade cream cheese frosting for an extra decadent touch. Your taste buds will thank you.
• **Edible Ornaments**: Add mini chocolate chips, small candies, or even dried cranberries for extra “ornaments” on your tree. A star-shaped cookie or piece of fruit on top makes for a perfect tree topper!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Got questions? I’ve got (casual, probably sarcastic) answers!

1. **Can I use homemade dough instead of store-bought?** Well, technically yes, but why make things harder for yourself? This recipe is all about ease and speed. If you have time to make your own, more power to you, Martha Stewart.
2. **How do I store leftovers?** In an airtight container at room temp for a day or two, or pop it in the fridge. But honestly, good luck having any leftovers!
3. **My dough is super sticky when I unroll it, what do I do?** Lightly flour your work surface and your hands. It’s not Play-Doh, but a little flour will tame it.
4. **Can I make this ahead of time?** You bet! You can assemble the tree on the parchment paper, cover it loosely with plastic wrap, and chill it in the fridge for up to a day. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
5. **What if I don’t have green food coloring?** Your tree will be “rustic white” or “barely festive.” It’ll still taste amazing, just maybe less… tree-like.
6. **Can I add nuts to the cinnamon rolls?** Go nuts! (Pun absolutely intended.) Sprinkle some finely chopped pecans or walnuts on the unrolled dough strips before cutting and arranging for extra crunch.
7. **My oven bakes unevenly, any tips?** Rotate your baking sheet halfway through baking for a more even golden finish. Nobody wants a burnt branch!

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, folks! A ridiculously easy, unbelievably cute, and seriously delicious Christmas Tree Cinnamon Roll recipe that makes you look like a baking superstar without all the fuss. So go ahead, whip up this festive treat, impress your friends and family (or just yourself, because you deserve it!), and enjoy the sweet, cinnamon-y goodness. You’ve earned those holiday calories, IMO. Happy baking, my friend!